Haitao Wang¹, Zhenhan Yao¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 85-96, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.007.085

Abstract This paper addresses a new boundary element method (BEM) for the numerical analysis of mechanical properties in 3D particle-reinforced composites. The BEM is accelerated by a new version fast multipole method (FMM) in order to perform large scale simulation of a representative volume element (RVE) containing up to several hundred randomly distributed elastic spherical particles on only one personal computer. The maximum number of degrees of freedom (DOF) reaches more than 300,000. Efficiency of the developed new version fast multipole BEM code is evaluated compared with other conventional solutions for BEM. The effects of micro-structural More >

Shengping Shen¹, S. N. Atluri¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 49-68, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.007.049

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to develop a multiscale method for the static analysis of a nano-system, based on a combination of molecular mechanics and MLPG methods. The tangent-stiffness formulations are given for this multiscale method, as well as a pure molecular mechanics method. This method is also shown to naturally link the continuum local balance equation with molecular mechanics, directly, based on the stress or force. Numerical results show that this multiscale method quite accurate. The tangent-stiffness MLPG method is very effective and stable in multiscale simulations. This multiscale method dramatically reduces More >

Wanlin Guo^1,2, Huajian Gao²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 19-34, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.007.019

Abstract A systematic investigation is performed on energy dissipation related interaction force associated with interlayer motion of sliding, rotation and telescoping between any two possible neighboring carbon nanotubes. In particular, we analyze the interlayer corrugation energy and sliding, rotation and telescoping resistance force associated with the Lennard-Jones potential as well as a registry-dependent graphitic potential. It is found that the interlayer resistance associated with both of these potentials can vary with the morphology, length and diameter of the two tubes. Energy dissipation related fluctuation of the resistant force can be as low as 10^-18N/atom between the most More >

H. C. Cheng¹, C. Y. Yu², W. H. Chen³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 1-18, 2005, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2005.007.001

Abstract In this study, a simple but effective solution methodology that integrates a modified global/local finite element (GLFE) modeling technique and a two-staged constitutive modeling strategy is presented for the thermal-mechanical modeling of solder joints in an area array typed electronic package for characterizing the associated solder joint fatigue life under the JEDEC temperature cycling specification. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed technique are demonstrated through two case studies, each of which is associated with an area array typed test vehicle. The geometry profile of solder joints in the test vehicle is determined by the… More >

Dhanjoo N. Ghista^1,2, Liang Zhong², Leok P.Chua², Eddie Y-K Ng², Soo T.Lim³, Ru S. Tan³, TerranceS-J Chua³

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 217-234, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.217

Abstract Background: In this paper, the left ventricle (LV) is modeled as a cylinder with myocardial fibers located helically within its wall. A fiber is modeled into myocardial structural units (MSUs); the core entity of each MSU is the sarcomeric contractile element. The relationship between the sarcomere unit's contractile force and shortening velocity is expressed in terms of the LV model's wall stress and deformation, and hence in terms of the monitored LV pressure and volume. Then, the LV systolic performance is investigated in terms of a mechatronic (excitation-contraction) model of the sarcomere unit located within the… More >

S. Deguchi^1,2, T. Ohashi², M. Sato²

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 205-216, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.205

Abstract Intracellular stress transmission through subcellular structural components has been proposed to affect activation of localized mechano-sensing sites such as focal adhesions in adherent cells. Previous studies reported that physiological extracellular forces produced heterogeneous spatial distributions of cytoplasmic strain. However, mechanical signaling pathway involved in intracellular force transmission through basal actin stress fibers (SFs), a mechano-responsive cytoskeletal structure, remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated force balance within the basal SFs of cultured smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells by (i) removing the cell membrane and cytoplasmic constituents except for materials physically attaching to the… More >

Morakot Likhitpanichkul¹, X. Edward Guo², Van C. Mow^1,3

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 191-204, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.191

Abstract Thorough analyses of the mechano-electrochemical interaction between articular cartilage matrix and the chondrocytes are crucial to understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms that modulate the cell metabolic activities and biosynthesis. Attempts have been made to model the chondrocytes embedded in the collagen-proteoglycan extracellular matrix to determine the distribution of local stress-strain field, fluid pressure and the time-dependent deformation of the cell. To date, these models still have not taken into account a remarkable characteristic of the cartilage extracellular matrix given rise from organization of the collagen fiber architecture, now known as the tension-compression nonlinearity (TCN)… More >

Cheng Dong^1,2,3, Margaret J. Slattery^2,3, Shile Liang³, Hsin-Hsin Peng²

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 145-160, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.145

Abstract Attachment of tumor cells to the endothelium (EC) under flow conditions is critical for the migration of tumor cells out of the vascular system to establish metastases. Innate immune system processes can potentially promote tumor progression through inflammation dependant mechanisms.\nobreakspace {} White blood cells, neutrophils (PMN) in particular, are being studied to better understand how the host immune system affects cancer cell adhesion and subsequent migration and metastasis. Melanoma cell interaction with the EC is distinct from PMN-EC adhesion in the circulation. We found PMN increased melanoma cell extravasation, which involved initial PMN tethering on… More >

A.L. Brock, D.E. Ingber¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 135-144, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.135

Abstract The direction in which cells extend new motile processes, such as lamellipodia and filopodia, can be controlled by altering the geometry of extracellular matrix adhesive islands on which individual cells are cultured, thereby altering mechanical interactions between cells and the adhesive substrate [Parker (2002)]. Here we specifically investigate the intracellular molecular signals that mediate the mechanism by which cells selectively extend these processes from the corners of polygonal-shaped adhesive islands. Constitutive activation of the small GTPase Rac within cells cultured on square-shaped islands of fibronectin resulted in the elimination of preferential extension from corners. This… More >

S. Deguchi^1,2, T. Ohashi², M. Sato²

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 125-134, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.125

Abstract Actin bundles in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) play a critical role in transmitting intracellular forces between separate focal adhesion sites. However, quantitative descriptions of tension level in single actin bundles in a physiological condition are still poorly studied. Here, we evaluated magnitude of preexisting tension in a single actin bundle of ECs on the basis of measurements of its preexisting stretching strain and tensile properties. Cultured ECs expressing fluorescently-labeled actin were treated with detergents to extract acin bundles. One end of an actin bundle was then dislodged from the substrate by using a microneedle, resulting… More >